Study names Swansea amongst best UK cities for retirees to holiday

New research from PayingTooMuch has revealed the UK’s best travel destinations for retirees aged 60 and over

• . Sheffield is the best UK city to travel to for those aged 60 and above, with 187 walking routes, the most of all cities analysed
• . York is the second-best UK city for retirees to travel to, with the most hotels (585) rated three stars and above .
• . Darren Saunders, CEO at PayingTooMuch reveals top tips for over 60s planning their next holiday 

Many people spend their working lives without the time or freedom to explore their home country. But after retiring, people finally have the chance to see all that the UK has to offer. With so many destinations to choose from, which cities are the top choices for retirees exploring the UK? 

To help over 60s decide which destination to visit, travel insurance experts at PayingTooMuch examined 30 UK cities, identifying which are best for those 60 and above. These were ranked based on the number of hotels rated three stars and above, hotel costs, the number of tourist activities, and the number of bus stops in each city.

They also offer expert tips on how those aged 60 and over can best prepare for a holiday this year. 

You can find the full research here: I have placed the press release below and you find the full study here: https://www.payingtoomuch.com/blog/2024/4/23/the-best-cities-for-over-60s-to-visit/

Rank	City	No. of 3* and above hotels	Cost of off-peak 3* and above hotels	No. of things to do	No. of walking routes	No. of bus stops
1	Sheffield	138	£1,114	166	187	5,647
2	York	585	£1,387	117	82	2,246
3	Liverpool	249	£1,672	178	31	2,873
4	Aberdeen	130	£774	73	75	1,555
5	Stoke on Trent	68	£835	63	85	2,421
6	Coventry	185	£1,032	73	60	2,096
7	Swansea	122	£1,070	54	75	2,976
8	Preston	103	£800	32	99	1,538
9	Kingston upon Hull	153	£692	71	13	1,891
10	Milton Keynes	69	£828	79	52	956

Sheffield is the best UK city to travel to for holidaymakers aged 60 and above, with the highest number of walking routes (187) 

Sheffield ranks as the top UK city for holidaymakers aged 60 and above. The city has the most walking routes of any city analysed (187), as well as the most bus stops available for convenient travel (5,647). Sheffield also has the second most activities overall (166), many of which are free of charge, like the Millennium Gallery.

Ranking second is York, with the most hotels rated 3 stars and above to choose from (585). However, accommodation is more expensive than Sheffield, with an average weekly price of £1,387. The city offers 117 activities, ranking third for this metric, plus 82 walking routes, the fourth highest among all cities. 

In third place is Liverpool, with the highest number of activities (178). It has the second-highest number of three stars and above hotels, totaling 249, but costs an average of £1,672 per week, ranking among the most expensive options. 

Darren Saunders at PayingTooMuch advises over 60s on how to best prepare for a holiday:

1. 1. Plan carefully before your trip 

“Researching as much as you can before you set off can ease any travel anxieties, as you’re more likely to know what to expect.

“Make sure to plan out the best method of transportation for your travels. Decide whether you’ll mostly be walking, driving, using public transport, or taking taxis. 

“Also, check you have all your prescriptions or medications with you. If you run out, you can contact your Doctor and have your prescription sent to wherever you’re staying in the UK, but having enough initially may give you peace of mind.”

2. 2. Avoid the crowds 

“Thinking carefully about how and when you travel can not only give you confidence in your trip, but save you money too. 

“To avoid busier crowds, think about travelling off-peak. It might be more relaxing and should make your trip cheaper. While away, think about exploring off-the-beaten-path locations, or hidden gems where there will be fewer crowds.”

3. 3. Purchase travel insurance

“You can claim accommodation cancellations and damage to personal items on travel insurance for a staycation. If you become unwell and can’t go anymore, travel insurance can also cover the cost.However, some policies have minimum trip length and distance from home restrictions, so it’s important to read the small print before purchasing.”